Writing in the Irish Independent, Vincent Hogan reflects on Leinster's dramatic Heineken Cup quarter-final victory over Clermont Auvergne.
"Quite a night in the old horse arena where those one-time 'Ladyboys' of Europe brandished enough stubble to sand furniture.
"Leinster fought the wonderful fight in a bear-pit atmosphere, not even a hat-trick of tries from French wing, Julien Malzieu, sufficient to derail their defence of the realm. Seldom has the Heineken Cup decanted whiter heat. Seldom has a winning team dug deeper to survive.
"The night ended to shrieks of terror, Brock James slipping into the pocket for Clermont Auvergne and waiting for delivery from a glacial-slow ruck. Eventually, the ball arrived and his drop-goal attempt set off sure and straight, before lurching drunkenly off-target.
"Leinster, wheezing like escapees from a mine shaft, fell proudly over the line."
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